Monument record 2514/1 - Adelaide Salt Works

<1> Wharmby, P, 1987, Survey of Abandoned Salt Mine Workings and Brine Shafts in Cheshire (Report). SCH7995.

Desk-based survey undertaken in 1987 to record the remains of Cheshire's salt industry comprising a gazeteer of sites and plans at 1:2500. Adelaide Mine is recorded as a bottom bed mine located immediately north of the Trent and Mersey Canal and extending each side of Ollershaw Lane, Marston. Sinking commenced in 1850 and the shafts (Adelaide Engine, Adelaide Far and Adelaide Water) were completed in 1854. Two brine shafts (Old Helen, Marston Lane) also recorded. The workings covered an area of 12.70 ha by the time the mine was abandoned. 101 pillars were left to support the roof but proved to be of insufficient size and convergence of the roof and floor occurred at a steadily increasing rate in the early part of the twentieth century. In 1925 brine was recorded as entering the mine and in 1928 the mine was abandoned after being inundated with brine entering the Far Shaft. After flooding, the mine cavity collapsed forming the Adelaide Flash. This was the last mine to work in the Northwich district.

<2> Lancaster University Archaeological Unit, 1992, Cheshire Weaver Valley Rolling Programme, An Archaeological Assessment., R2021 (Client Report). SCH4209.

The surface remains at Adelaide Mine were surveyed and recorded in outline in 1992 as part of an archaeological assessment undertaken for Cheshire Weaver Valley Rolling Programme. Remains include several brick and concrete buildings, some with internal ridges possibly the remains of conduits for fires beneath the salt pans. A potential canal arm edge leading towards the canal was also observed.

<3> Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust Archaeological Unit, 1993, Cheshire (Weaver Valley) Rolling Programme: Archaeological Site Investigation, R2055 (Client Report). SCH4208.

Substantial structural remains were recorded which included a massive rectangular foundation built from stone, brick and concrete, a matching base with a number of associated concrete structures clustered around it. Some of the latter survive to a height of over 2m. To the north-east of these were a series of low linear earthworks and more structural remains. On the south-west side of the flash pool were two major rectangular earthworks within which were a number of parallel low walls. Only one stubstantial brick wall was still visible on the site. Evaluation trenches found substantial remains below ground. A description of the works in 1888 states it has 47 salt pans operating, 2 brine shafts and a rock salt mine.

<4> Ashmore, O, 1982, The Industrial Archaeology of North West England, /47 (Book). SCH3181.

<5> Hewitson C, 2015, The Open Pan. The Archaeology and History of the Lion Salt Works., p.29 (Monograph). SCH8015.

Figure based on 1st edition OS mapping (1881) showing the Marston and Wincham salt district, including the Adelaide works. The extent of the bottom bed rock salt mine is depicted along with the surface white salt 'open pan' works.